Stephen Donnelly says details about the publicly-funded scheme will be published in the coming weeks.
Plans to introduce a free hormone replacement therapy scheme are being finalised by the Health Minister.
Stephen Donnelly says details about the publicly-funded scheme will be published in the coming weeks.
It would see the government fund the cost of HRT medication, including patches, for all those who need it.
Kildare Senator Fiona O' Senator O'Loughlin said a publicly-funded HRT scheme will be a "game-changer for women’s healthcare".
She said there has been an increase in demand for HRT medicines in the last number of years.
However, women have faced issues in using HRT medicine, from access to cost disparity, she said.
“These issues are in addition to the already challenging experience of menopause. It represents a significant change in the reproductive system and brings with it a lot of other symptoms, everything from hot flashes to weight gain, hair loss, anxiety, depression, sight loss, arthritis and diabetes."
She added: “The scheme would put an end to the barrier posed by costs in accessing effective and essential healthcare treatment. Women are faced with costs of €30 to €70 per month for HRT, the cost of a GP visit which can be between €60 and €80 and the cost of having to have to go to a consultant which could be hundreds of euros for one consultation."
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